Prolonged dry and windy conditions across Wales have led to the emergence of numerous archaeological sites, some of which have not been clearly visible for decades. Photographs released by the national archive for the Welsh historic environment capture these discoveries, documented through aerial surveys conducted in June and July.
Pilots navigating these flights noted the challenges posed by the weather. While clear cropmarks can be readily apparent during aerial observation, some areas have become so dry that these markings are faint and difficult to discern. In such instances, digital processing techniques are employed to enhance the visibility of the archaeological features, making previously hidden details more prominent. These enhanced images often appear in black and white, highlighting the subtle distinctions in the landscape.
Among the revealed sites are First World War practice trenches beneath a golf course at Deganwy, Conwy, and the Roman fort of Caerhun, also known as Canovium, in Conwy. Additionally, a previously unrecorded Iron Age or Romano-British double-ditched farmstead has been identified near Llandysul in south Ceredigion, visible through ripening cropmarks. In Ceredigion, near Lampeter, a large concentric enclosure, estimated to be around 170 meters across and potentially used as a cattle corral 2,000 years ago, has become apparent in dry pasture.
The Royal Commission of Wales has confirmed that some of these sites have not been clearly observed for many years, underscoring the significant impact of the current weather patterns on archaeological visibility. The aerial surveys provide a valuable, albeit temporary, window into the region's rich historical landscape.